7 Best Online Games to Play With Friends

For us, Jackbox Games is the holy grail of social distance gaming: Its multiplayer party games are simple to learn but still very entertaining to play, and it’s also easy to stream or screen-share games from one device to a group for a virtual game night. Everyone plays through a web browser on their phones, so no apps or consoles are needed. You can even mirror your Android or iOS device to your TV.

Here’s how the Jackbox Party Pack works: One person has to purchase either one of seven Jackbox Party Packs, or one or more individual games, on Steam (for PC, Mac and Linux). The packs contain five games and usually cost $30 each, but sometimes you can find them on sale for less. The packs are also available on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and other devices. 

After purchasing, you can hop on a video chat through a Zoom call, Skype, Google Hangouts or wherever you prefer for a video call, start the game on your laptop and use the screen-share option so that all the other players on the call can see the screen, too. As mentioned, everyone plays along on their mobile device by using a browser and going to Jackbox.tv, where you’ll be asked to enter a room code. 

Other options include using Steam Remote Play Together, Discord screen sharing, sharing through your gaming console, or just setting up a webcam in front of your TV. Jackbox provides information on how to stream its games, too. 

Each pack includes a variety of different games that might ask you to answer trivia questions, draw weird doodles or write the best joke. The games are light, humorous and include clear instructions, so they’re easy for the most novice players to pick up. But if you like a little more complexity, this year’s Jackbox Party Pack 8 features games that involve social deduction and hiding clues.

If you’re a fan of games like Mafia or Werewolf, you’ll love Among Us, an online multiplayer social deduction game from developer InnerSloth. Play as a crew member aboard a spaceship, sky headquarters or planet base, attempting to keep your ship together and return back to Earth with a group of four to 10 people (either those you know IRL or strangers online). But one crew member has been replaced by a parasitic shape-shifting alien who wants to eliminate the rest of the crew before the ship reaches home. Problem is the imposter looks just like everyone else and will sabotage the ship, sneak through vents, deceive fellow players and try to frame others, all in an attempt to remain undetected and kill off the rest of the crew. 

Meanwhile, the nonalien crew members must perform tasks to fix up the ship and can’t talk unless a death is reported. Then, the surviving crew can openly debate via chat who they think the imposter is and make their best guess about who to vote off the ship. If the imposter is voted off, the crew wins. But if the group accidentally votes a crew member off, everyone goes back to maintaining the ship until another body is found, and they vote again. 

Among Us is free to play on iOS and Android devices (you can download it on the App Store or Google Play Store). Or, it costs $5 to play on a PC (you can download it on Steam or itch.io). One major benefit is that you can play with people seamlessly across platforms. 

Be warned: The free mobile version does have ads. Once you download and open the game on your device, you’ll see a pop-up detailing its use of AdMob and data collection. If you want to turn off ads and data collection, you can purchase the ad-free version of the app for $2 by tapping Remove Ads, and following the prompts to select your payment method. 

Though this game came out more than three years ago, Twitch streamers picked it up over the past year, and it reached a half-billion active monthly users in November 2020. And if you’ve already given it a try, the developers added new player roles and cosmetics last month.

Put your puzzle-solving skills to the test with a virtual escape room. Try to solve all of the puzzles and follow the clues to escape the computerized room before time is up, as you would when you play the real-world version. 

One option for ages 12 and up is TEG Unlocked: The Heist from The Escape Game. In the two-part game for one to four players, you’ll work as a secret agent trying to thwart a suspected art thief. Each part costs $10, or you can buy all three games and get a 10% discount.

If you’re looking for a more kid-friendly choice, there’s a free Harry Potter-themed escape room created by Peters Township Public Library in McMurray, Pennsylvania, using Google Docs.

Read more: Dating during coronavirus: 7 ideas for virtual dates while social distancing

If you’re looking to play traditional tabletop board games online, check out Tabletopia, which calls itself an “online arena” for playing more than 900 board games the same way you would in real life. You can play on a desktop browser for Mac or Windows, or download the platform on Steam, the App Store or the Google Play Store.

You’ll find fun classics like chess and Texas Hold ‘Em, or more in-depth options like Scythe and Clans of Caledonia to play. Start your own game with friends, or join a game in progress with open seats. The virtual versions save you from shuffling and some rules interpretation, making it easier to jump into each game.

You can play some fun game options for free with the bronze package, or upgrade to the silver ($5 a month) or gold ($10 a month) package to access premium games. 

Another similar option is Tabletop Simulator, which includes classic game options like chess, poker, dominoes, Mahjong and jigsaw puzzles. Create your own original games on the platform, as well as play ones that were created by others. 

You’ll see some familiar titles in here, but note that most of those were created by other users, as opposed to actual game developers. You can buy Tabletop Simulator on Steam for Windows and Mac for $20 and then share your screen to play with friends. 

You may already be familiar with popular mobile games that you can play with friends anytime. Fortnite, Words with Friends 2, Scrabble GO, Uno & Friends and Draw Something are all great options for simple games that let you keep in touch and sneak in a turn when you have time throughout the day. 

If you’re mostly playing solo, you might want to check out a mobile gaming subscription service. Apple Arcade has a library of more than 150 original games including nostalgic favorites Pac-Man Party Royale and Frogger in Toytown, along with new hits such as Crossy Road Castle and Ultimate Rivals: The Rink. For $5 a month, you can play across iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Mac and Apple TV devices. 

For Android users, Google Play Pass offers access to more than 350 games including Monument Valley, Risk and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, also for $5 a month. 

Read more: Best game subscription services: Here’s how to choose

Pokemon Unite takes the classic Pokemon formula and remixes it as a multiplayer online battle arena, similar to Dota 2 and League of Legends. Players control Pokemon and are tasked with battling both wild and opponent-controlled Pokemon to earn experience and Unite points. Two lanes, at the top and bottom of the map, are punctuated with hoop-like goals for each team, where players can deposit their Unite points to score. 

Unite is a great game to play with friends because it simplifies the traditional MOBA elements, making it easier for beginners to jump in. And for fans of Pokemon, Unite still keeps many of the familiar gameplay — leveling up, evolving, learning new moves and using items for a tactical advantage. The game has been downloaded 50 million times as of December.

The five-on-five battles in Unite rely on teamwork, so it’s the most fun when you have a friend or four to play alongside. Have a group of five? Team up as a full squad and coordinate your attacks. Got a pair of friends who want in? You can team as the original starters, Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise. Just one friend? Become the dominant duo in your lane by pairing offensive firepower with defensive toughness.

Every Pokemon has its own style, strengths and weaknesses, allowing players to find the character that best suits them. Create a well-rounded team to carve a path to victory, or have fun playing your favorites — the choice is up to you.

Pokemon Unite is available for free on Nintendo Switch, iOS and Android devices.